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Docs in lurch as MCI derecognizes IGNOU diploma

DTMT Network
The fate of 1700 doctors, who pursued their two-year PG diploma from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in clinical cardiology, seems jeopardized as the Medical Council of India has refused to recognize their diplomas. The decision of the MCI to derecognize their diploma prevents them from practicing cardiology.

According a report, the course was commenced by the IGNOU in 2006 to train doctors as cardiologists to serve seventy health facilities to tackle the shortage of doctors in the country.

It is learned that between 2006 and 2012, about 1,700 doctors opted for the course. The university, however, stopped fresh enrolment in 2013 after MCI refused to grant a license to students pursuing it.

The doctors had approached the Delhi High Court to raise their voice. In September 2019, the court had directed  the Union Health Ministry to take a view in the matter.

Dr KK Aggarwal, President, Heart Care Foundation, Delhi, said that reasons given by the MCI to refuse to recognize the diplomas is technical and not on merit.

“Under MCI Ethics Regulation: 1.4.2,  physicians shall display as suffix to their names only recognized medical degrees or such certificates/diplomas and memberships/honours which confer professional knowledge or recognizes any exemplary qualification/achievements.”

“Under clause 1.4.2 there should be no reason not to write about their diploma on their letterhead along with the name of IGNOU. It will still be IGNOU certified and not MCI certified,” said Dr Aggaral.

“The clause 1.4.2 does not stop people for doing non-MCI diploma or from taking certificates. It gives options of both only recognized medical degrees or such certificates/diplomas. MCI itself has no diploma or a certificate course in cardiology, so other certificate and diploma courses will invariably be started by institutions. The MCI clause 7.20 should not be read in isolation but read with 1.4.2.,” explained Dr Aggarwal.

"Under clause 7.20, a physician shall not claim to be specialist unless he has a special qualification in that branch. Also, the reason given by MCI is technical and not on merit,” said Dr Aggarwal.


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